I love the movement to stop photoshopping of magazine photos. Petitions have forced some magazines to stop the photoshopping tactics, and others are catching on promising to include more “real” women of varying body types.

Celebrities are doing their part to fight image manipulation, like Lorde’s tweet of a photo showing her natural skin compared to a recent photo showing her touched-up photo.

This has been occuring to a degree that people don’t even realize. Now the changes to this this photo of Jessica Alba are pretty extreme, but we may not even question the level of touchup without comparing to the original image. Why do we have to edit such beauty? Maybe you think it doesn’t have an effect on you, but have you ever look at a photo and felt bad about the wrinkle in your skin, the firmness of certain…

Meet Adam, an amazing four-year-old boy. He asked his family and preschool classmates to purchase educational supplies for displaced Syrians instead of buying him birthday presents. Look at what he will give to Syrian children!

And then recently, I saw a story about research with rats. When one rat is trapped in an uncomfortable trap, a second rat will learn to free the trapped rat. They will do this generous act even before enjoying a tasty chocolate treat. Not only that, they will share the chocolate rather than hoard it for themselves. I have not clearly defined the word compassion for myself, but I think this is a decent example of animals showing compassion for each other and another one’s suffering.

And what can we learn from monkeys about how we use money, how we view equality, ? See this short video reaction of monkeys getting unfair trade values, or listen to this TED Talk by Laurie Santos for a more detailed description of this research.

So what makes us different? The only thing I have heard of being different so far, human’s have the ability to recognize their weaknesses and create a tool to overcome them. But I wouldn’t say we have mastered that yet.

The past month has been full of remembrance, thanks and gratitude for all we have in life. Everyone experienced the marathon bombing and the fiery capture of the culprits differently. We’re all processing it the meaning of these events and affected by them in a unique way.

Fortunately, such events bring out the best in humanity and the beauty of life. Sometimes we need these reminders.

Steven Tyler and Joe Perry dedicate this version of Dream On to the people in Boston

There are so many stories of survival and how people came together to support each other, and forming lasting bonds.

It strikes me, the reason that so many good people are caught up by these tragedies is because most people are good and it’s just a few bad ones who can cause so much pain.

Easter is a great day to recognize the power of hope and determination. Weather we are challenging ourselves to run 26.2 miles, or to better our lives through education, improving the lives of others through service, coping with the loss of a loved one, or learning to walk with a prosthesis. We’re all connected, we’re all bound together through experience and this wild ride called life.